1. The rope will be 2 inches in diameter, 150 feet long and made of
hemp. It will be marked with red, blue, and white tape.
2. All tugs will be conducted on a natural grass surface.
3. No electric sound systems, horns, whistles, etc. may be used in encouraging
teams. This means anything other than the human voice is not permitted.
4. Long-sleeved shirts must be worn by all participants. Gloves and belts
are optional.
5. Boots may be worn including combat, hiking, or other types with vibram
soles. No spikes, cleats, studs, hobnails, or other metal fittings will
be permitted. This includes soccer or football shoes with rubber cleats.
If there is a question on allowable footwear, check with the Tug of War
officials before the event. Tug of War officials reserve the right to
disallow participation if unsafe conditions are deemed to exist.
6. No sticky substances may be used on hands or gloves.
7. Each team is allowed 19 players on their roster, 1 of which is the
cadence caller. Only 10 players will tug at one time, 5 males and 5 females.
Once an alternate replaces a participant, that participant may not re-enter
the competition. A minimum of 8 players can tug (4 males / 4 females)
8. Teams will be lined up so that the rope will be pulled on the right
side (under the participants’ right arms). The anchor (the last
person) will be permitted to tie in, and is the only member who can touch
the ground with only his hands. No other team member is permitted to sit
on the ground for more than five seconds, this includes the anchor.
9. Males and females will be alternated in positions on the rope.
10. One coach per team will be permitted on the line to assist with organization.
It will be the coach’s responsibility to notify the official that
the team is ready to tug.
11. The tug will be started on the command of the official. The team that
pulls the rope 12 feet from the center will be declared the winner. A
whistle or horn will signal the end of the tug.
12. There will be a 90-second time limit on each tug.
13. All tugs will be timed. These times will be considered in the final
result tabulation.
14. Prior to the beginning of the pull, no participant may “dig-in”
to the ground.
15. This will be a double-elimination tournament. Each team will continue
tugging until the team records two losses.
16. A minimum of 5 minutes rest between tugs will be permitted.